Effective Christianity for Dummies

My bestseller "Effective Christianity for Dummies" is not out yet, but here's a preview for all ye loyal readers and supporters. So, you think you are a dummy as far as Christianity is concerned, but you don't want to remain one forever. What's the secret code? "Nebuchadnezzar"? Good try, but we don't do Arabian Nights here. You don't need any secret code.

For starters, the Apostle Peter has some tips for you. Read on.

1. Faith: being sure of what we hope for, being certain of what we don't see (Hebrews 11:1)

2. Goodness: Oh taste and see that Jehovah is good (Psalm 34:8)

3. Knowledge: The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7)

4. Self-control: But the fruit of the Spirit is ... self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

5. Perseverance: I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)

6. Godliness: great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16)

7. Brotherly kindness: be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32)

8. Love: Love suffereth long, [and] is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Courtesy of 2 Peter 1:5-8

Well, I hear you mutter "8 steps seem like a mighty tall order, taller than the Tower of Babel. Anything easier? Don't forget, I am a dummy afterall" The good news is: there is.

Hear it from Jesus Himself:

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40

Short & sweet.

God bless you,
Thomas